The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-12-07

y
the paltry sum which would change Her
dull surroundings into paradise.
One morning, as we sat sketching on
the brow of the hill, Crocifissa timidly
approached us, carrying small package
under her arm. This she unwrapped,
disclosing about four yards of unusually
beautiful lace, six inches or more wide. l
was not much Of a conpoissetif in such
things, but could recognize the unusual
merit Of this piece.
"why, Crociflssar' / exclaimed ;
''where did you get such a prizel"
81 made it," she answered, modestly,
''at the Convent of La Speranza, where
waited on the nuns for five or six years.
They taught me to make it, but can't
see to do any more.
But, child, why don't you sell this
lacel 1t would help you a long step
towards buying furniture and marrying
Reno"
"Alas, signora, have often tried, but
nobody will buy it. The nuns say it is
worth geat deal of money, perhaps fifty
francs; but shall never find any one
willing to give that, sum, and would let
1t gofof much less"
She, of course, wished us TO make some
low offer for the lace, but l knew it
would be great wrong to the girl to
allow her to sacrifice her work for trifle,
and assured her of this. Because we
could not afford to pay fair price, we
had no right to profit by the poor child's
ignorancs.
"The nuns would offer UP special
prayers for me if l gave it TO the con-
vent" continued Crociissa "but
prayers will not buy furniture-at least
they have not, so far"
"Don't despair of your prayers yet, :"
said Amy; then to me, in English,
There is Mrs. Webster, the rich Ameri-
can lady at San Marcello; you know she
Is mad over brie-d b,dc, antiquities and
laces especially laces. She has heaps of
money and believe she would buy this
lace if she saw it."
thought the suggestion an excellent
one, and so eager were we to try If the
sale might not be brought about, that we
returned at once TO call our hostess into
consultation. The result of this interview
was. that the next day Crocitissa was
dispatched to San Marcello with her lace,
and a note to the landlord of the hotel
where Mrs. Webster was staying. In
three hours Crocifissa returned, iubilant.
because the landlord had promised to
show the lace to all the guests in his house
likely to be interested in such things.
We scarcely dared to break to Gro
cifissa the good news that came three days
later. Mrs. Webster had fallen in love
with the lace, as Amy had predicted, and
at the landlords suggestion had prom
isec to pay two hundred and fifty francs
for the piece, on her departure a month
later. In the meantime it might remain
upon exhibition behind the glass doors
of the padrone's cabinet of curiosities.
1t made one feel young and happy again
to see the bliss of Crocifissa and Reno.
The latter was presented to us, and the
good fellow seemed ready to risk his life
to serve us. Amy might ride on the
fruit-donkey at any hour of the day or
night she chose, and it was borne in
upon me that particularly glaring pair
of magenta stockings in process of con-
struction by Crocifissa was for me.
The fortune of the betrothed couple
being now secured, negotiations were
entered upon for the desired outfit of
clothes and the necessary furniture. A
charming pair of rooms, in Crocilissa's
eyes, were bespoken, at the back of the
carpenters house, and the wedding day
was set early in October All was going
merry aa the anticipated marriage bells,
when the day arrived for Crocihssa to go
to San Marcello and receive her money.
On her first visit she had seen only the
padrone, and was about to be given the
price of her lace and dismissed at once
by him, when, on second thought, he
decided to detain her.
''You had better go and thank the lady
for her kindness, YOURSELF" he said; ''it
looks more civil"
Crocifissa was shown into Mrs Web
ster's room, a marvel of ornamentation
from all parts of the globe, and of
various centuries more or less authentic.
Mrs. Webster had, as Amy had main
tanned, an idolatrous fondness for all
things antique; hideous Jug with a
crack upon its dirt-ingrained sides was
lovelier in her eyes than the most skill
fully worked vase of modern times. She
willingly paid fabulous prices for rubbish
of a bygone day, but was implacable if
she discovered fraud in the dates of APP
parently antique treasures.
In very bad Italian. she addressed
Crocifssa, who, not understanding, re-
piled in few words, which the elder
lady failed to catch. The interview being
rather a trying one for both parties, Mrs.
Webster was about TO end it by dis
missing Crocitissa, when the girls next
words, understood this time, alas all
too plainly riveted her attention.
''What did you say2" she exclaimed,
spark of something like anger glowing
in her eyes.
''If the signora would like some mar
row lace of the same pattern, / would
try to make it. My eyes are better
now than when did that wide piece, I"
repeated Crocifssa.
'Do you mean to say you made this
piece of lace9" said Mrs. Webster, with
suppressed rage.
"Yes, signora; why notg"
Croci6ssa regarded the now infuriated
lady with blank amazement; she had ex-
pected praise for her handiwork, instead
of these flaming eyes bent angrily upon
her.
Mrs. Webster rang the bell with sharp
violence, and demanded the instant pres
ence of the padrone. Chow dare YOU, y
she cried, as he appeared, "try to cheat
me so outrageouslyP'
The padrOne, mystifed as was Croci-
fissa at the lady's excitement, stared in
helpless silence. Presently he found
voice enough to falter: 81 do not under
stand; win the signora please to ex-